Donald Trump and TikTok Ban: A Clash of Technology and National Security

The battle over TikTok's future in the United States has escalated into a years-long saga involving complex legal disputes, national security concerns, and political maneuvering. At the center of this conflict stands former President Donald Trump, whose administration first set the wheels in motion to ban the Chinese-owned social media platform in 2020.

The Early Stages: Trump’s Executive Order

In July 2020, the Trump administration cited national security risks as the primary reason for targeting TikTok. Concerns over the platform's parent company, ByteDance, being based in China fueled fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. These concerns led then-President Trump to issue an executive order demanding that ByteDance divest its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban.

The order was met with backlash, with critics questioning its legal and constitutional basis. Experts like Jennifer Granick from the American Civil Liberties Union called the move a threat to free speech, noting that banning an app millions use for communication sets a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, TikTok denied allegations of data misuse, emphasizing its robust privacy practices and claiming it collects no more data than U.S.-based platforms like Facebook.

The National Security Debate

The Trump administration framed the ban as a necessity to protect American data from potential exploitation by China. Reports indicated that TikTok’s algorithms and data collection methods posed a unique risk, though independent analysts argued that the data collected was similar to what other social media platforms gather. Critics, however, accused Trump of using national security as a pretext to retaliate against TikTok for political reasons, particularly after TikTok users organized pranks targeting Trump’s campaign rallies.

Legal Battles and Challenges

In response to the executive order, ByteDance filed multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of the ban. TikTok argued that the move was unconstitutional, violating the First and Fifth Amendments. A separate suit filed by a TikTok employee further claimed that the ban constituted an unlawful seizure of property under the Fifth Amendment.

Meanwhile, negotiations ensued, with Microsoft and Oracle emerging as potential buyers for TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance resisted a complete divestiture, citing pressure from the Chinese government and expressing concerns about the implications of such a sale.

Biden Administration’s Continuation

The transition to the Biden administration did not halt the efforts to address TikTok’s presence in the U.S. In 2024, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban. The legislation received broad support in Congress, highlighting the ongoing bipartisan agreement on the national security risks posed by the app.

Supreme Court Showdown

The conflict reached a critical point in January 2025 when the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the legality of the ban. Justices focused on the law’s demand for ByteDance to divest rather than shut TikTok down entirely. Justice Amy Coney Barrett remarked that the law targeted ByteDance, not TikTok’s users, potentially sidestepping First Amendment concerns.

Adding a twist to the saga, Donald Trump himself requested the Supreme Court to delay the ban. In his appeal, Trump argued that his expertise in dealmaking could help negotiate a resolution to save TikTok while addressing national security concerns.

The Bigger Picture of TikTok Ban

TikTok’s future hangs in the balance as the deadline for a sale or ban approaches. The app’s popularity, particularly among younger Americans, has made it a cultural and social phenomenon. However, its ties to ByteDance and China have kept the national security debate alive.

The saga is emblematic of the broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, where technology, privacy, and economic interests intersect. Whether TikTok survives in the U.S. or faces a complete ban, its journey underscores the challenges of regulating technology in an increasingly interconnected world.